Racquet strand clip

ABSTRACT

A racquet strand clip for fastening a strand to a surface and a method for using the same, comprising a generally rectangular block with a narrow slot cut lengthwise through the block. The slot is cut through the block from top to bottom, and from one end of the block to a point approaching the other end of the block, thus creating an open end and a closed end. In operation, a user threads one end of a strand through a hole in a surface, then pulls the strand taut and slides the end of the strand through the slot within the clip. Upon releasing the end of the strand, the natural elasticity of the strand combined with the narrowness of the slot creates the contact pressure needed to keep the strand from slipping out of the slot, and to keep the clip pressed firmly in place against the surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/429,857, filed Nov. 26, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to fasteners, and more specifically, toclips that affix strands to surfaces using contact pressure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

[0003] In designing a device for fastening a strand to a surface, suchas fastening a length of elastic tubing to a fielding practice bat asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,234,922 and 6,386,999, and as soldcommercially under the trademark RAC-A-BAT® fielding practice bat,simplicity of design and use, economy, durability, and reliability aredesirable characteristics. In the above-mentioned patents, elastictubing is woven through holes in a frame to form a head surface forhitting a ball. FIGS. 6 and 7A-D in both patents depict methods forconnecting the tubing to the frame. The means for attaching the ends ofthe elastic tubing to the frame, as depicted in FIG. 6, involvesthreading the elastic tubing through a hole in the frame and theninserting a commercially available screw sheath into the tubing throughthe hole. A screw is then threaded into the screw sheath, causing thesheath to expand, bending a plurality of ridges along the sheath'sexternal side, and thereby locking the tubing in the hole so that itcannot be pulled out. One disadvantage of this prior means forattachment is the fact that two separate items are used for theattachment, a screw sheath and a screw, which increases the cost andcomplexity of use. Another disadvantage is the fact that a tool must beused for installation of the fastener, namely, a screwdriver orcomparable device must be used to screw the screw into the sheath. Afurther disadvantage of using this means for attachment is that theplurality of ridges located along the sheath's external side may cutinto the tubing, thus potentially damaging the tubing and therebydecreasing the effective life span of the attachment mechanism.

[0004] Alternative means of attaching an end of the tubing to the frameare depicted in FIGS. 7A-D in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,234,922 and 6,386,999.They include the use of a saw tooth fastener, a combination of pin andlocking flanges, a “golf tee” pin, and a pin with a locking cap. All ofthese alternative means are available on the commercial market. Each ofthese alternative means of attachment have potential disadvantagesassociated with their use, however. The saw tooth fastener, for example,suffers from one of the same problems associated with theabove-mentioned method of attachment: ridges located along the externalside of the saw tooth fastener may cut into the tubing therebycompromising the strength and durability of the tubing. The combinationof pin and locking flanges involves the use of more than one part forthe attachment mechanism, resulting in increased cost and complexity ofuse. The use of a “golf tee” pin may result in insufficient contactforce holding the tubing and “golf tee” pin in place. Thus, a lockingcap may be used in conjunction with the pin. This, however, involves theuse of more than one part for the attachment mechanism, again resultingin increased cost and complexity of use. All of the above-mentionedexisting attachment devices also insert into the hole of the frame ofthe fielding practice bat. Depending on the length of the insertedportion of the attachment device as well as the depth of the hole, theattachment device may extend into the interior head surface of thefielding practice bat and interfere with its normal use. Indeed, all ofthe attachment devices depicted in FIGS. 7A-D in U.S. Pat. Nos.6,234,922 and 6,386,999 extend through the hole and into the interiorhead surface of the fielding practice bat.

[0005] Lacking in the existing art is a simple, small, easy to use,inexpensive, single-piece device for attaching a strand, such as elastictubing, to a surface, such as a frame of a fielding practice bat, suchthat the device does not interfere in any way with the normal use of thesurface. Therefore, there is a need for a simple, small, easy to use,inexpensive device for quickly and efficiently attaching a strand to asurface. There is a further need for such a device that does notpenetrate, or is not inserted through, the surface of the frame, nor isit inserted through the strand itself.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a device forfastening a strand to a surface in a simple, economical, durable, andreliable manner. In accordance with this object, the racquet strand clipof the present invention comprises a block having a slot penetratingthrough the block. In the preferred embodiment, the block is a small,solid piece of aluminum having a generally rectangular shape. The slotis a thin rectangular space cut lengthwise completely through the blockfrom top to bottom, along a central axis going from the first end of theblock to a point approaching the second end of the block, and whereinthe width of the slot is smaller than the width of the strand beingsecured.

[0007] The racquet strand clip is used as a fastener. Specifically, itis used to affix a long, slender, and flexible strip of material such asa strand, rope, yarn, cord, or tubing to a surface. In the preferredembodiment, elastic tubing, or surgical tubing, is threaded through theholes of a frame of a fielding practice bat as disclosed in U.S. Pat.Nos. 6,234,922 and 6,386,999, and as sold commercially under thetrademark RAC-A-BAT® fielding practice bat, wherein the ends of theelastic tubing are protruding from the frame external to the headsurface of the bat. A first end of the elastic tubing is pulled tautthrough a first hole (while holding the second end tight to prevent theelastic tubing from slipping through the frame) to reduce the thicknessof the elastic tubing at its first end. The first end of the elastictubing then is slid through the slot in a first racquet strand clip,which is placed along and in contact with the outside edge of the frameof the fielding practice bat. The racquet strand clip is a size andshape that fits within the channel of the frame. The first end is thenreleased wherein the elastic tubing returns to its natural state. Theinherent elasticity of the elastic tubing, along with the fact that theslot width is smaller than the strand width, holds the first racquetstrand clip in place. The second end of the elastic tubing is similarlypulled taut and slid through a slot in a second racquet strand clipplaced along the outside edge of the frame of the fielding practice bat.The natural elasticity of the elastic tubing keeps the ends of theelastic tubing in place within the slots, and the racquet strand clipsin place against the outside edge of the frame of the fielding practicebat.

[0008] The present invention represents an innovation in the attachmentof strands, e.g., elastic tubing, to surfaces as described because it issmall in size, easy to manufacture, inexpensive to manufacture, easy touse, requires no special tools for use, and is a single piece. Becauseof its small size, light weight, and compact shape, the racquet strandclip does not interfere in any way with the proper use of a fieldingpractice bat. It also allows easy trimming of excess tubing sticking outof the frame of a fielding practice bat, with minimal chance of damagingthe attachment mechanism. Lastly, the racquet strand clip allows for theeasy removal and installation of strands on a frame of a fieldingpractice bat or of stands on any comparable surface through which thestrands are threaded.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0009] The present invention is described with reference to theaccompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicateidentical or functionally similar elements. Additionally, the left-mostdigit of a reference number identifies the drawing in which thereference number first appears.

[0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the racquet strand clip ofthe present invention; and

[0011]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the racquet strand clip ofthe present invention in use with the frame of a RAC-A-BAT® fieldingpractice bat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the racquet strand clip 100 of the presentinvention is a block 108 that is generally rectangular in shape having alength L, width W, and depth D. The clip 100 is preferably made of alight weight metal, e.g., aluminum, but it can be made of any durablematerial, including, but not limited to: steel, plastic, rubber, wood, acomposite material, etc. The clip 100 also has a slot 102 cut throughthe block 108 which is positioned along a central axis of the length Lof the clip 100. The slot 102 has a closed end 104 and an open end 106.The slot 102 is shown as having squared corners but this is forconvenience. The slot 102 also can have rounded corners in order tominimize any possible damage to a strand threaded through the slot 102.The slot 102 also has a width that is smaller than the width of a strandthat is targeted to be secured by the clip 100. In addition, the shownrectangular shape of the block 108 is for convenience. The block 108 ofthe clip 100 can have any shape that is adaptable to having a slot 102,e.g., square, rectangular, triangular, any polygonal shape, circular,oval, and any curved shape. Also in the preferred embodiment, the block108 has a shape and size that enables it to fit within a channel of asurface, e.g., a channel in a frame.

[0013] The preferred dimensions of the clip 100 as used with theRAC-A-BAT® fielding practice bat, which is described in U.S. Pat. Nos.6,234,922 and 6,386,999, and is commercially available, are: block 108length L=about ½ inches, block 108 width W=about ⅜ inches, block 108depth D=about ¼ inches, slot 102 length=about ⅜ inches, and slot 102width=about {fraction (1/32)} inches. All dimensions are used in thepreferred embodiment and are for convenience purpose only. It would bereadily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the relevant arts to builda clip 100 of the present invention using different dimensions.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, the clip 100 of the present invention can beused in conjunction with the frame 202 of a RAC-A-BAT® fielding practicebat. In this preferred embodiment, the elastic tubing, strand 206,threaded through the frame 202 of the bat has a wall thickness of{fraction (3/32)} of an inch and an outer diameter of {fraction (5/16)}of an inch. Thus, the preferred slot 102 width, which as described aboveis about {fraction (1/32)} of an inch, is smaller than the outerdiameter, or width, of the elastic tubing, strand 206. Because the slot102 width is smaller than the strand 202 width, the inherent elasticityof the strand 206 will hold the strand 206 in the slot 102 of the clip100.

[0015] In operation, a strand 206, which is preferably elastic tubing,is threaded through the holes 204 a-c of the head of the frame 202 tocreate a head surface on which a ball is hit. Specifically, the strand206 is threaded through the holes 204 a-c of the recessed portion 210 ofthe frame 202, wherein the recessed portion 210 is bounded by a firstrim 208 a and a second rim 208 b. Preferably, a single strand 206 isused to thread the entire head surface of the frame 202, resulting intwo ends (only one end 212 is shown on FIG. 2 for convenience) of thestrand 206 that must be secured to the frame 202. The strand 206 isthreaded such that its two ends protrude external to the head surface ofthe frame 202.

[0016] To secure an end 212 of the strand 206 to the frame 202, a userinserts the end 212 of the strand 206 through a hole 204 b of therecessed portion 210 of the frame 202 in the direction from the insideof the racquet head to the outside. Once the end 212 is through the hole204 b, the user pulls the strand 206 tight (while holding the second endof the strand 206 to prevent the strand 206 from slipping through theframe 202), thereby compressing the strand 206 and making it thinner asit stretches. The user then slides the stretched strand 206 through theslot 102 of the clip 100. Preferably, the strand 206 is slid into theslot 102 until it contacts the closed end 104 of the slot 102. The userreleases the strand 206 and, if necessary, trims off the excess strand206 extending beyond the clip 100, e.g., leaving, for example, about ¼inches of the strand 206. The natural elasticity of the strand 206,combined with the narrowness of the width of the slot 102, causes theneeded pressure and friction to keep the strand 206 in place and fromsliding out of the slot 102, and to keep the clip 100 pressed firmly inplace against the surface of the recessed portion 210 of the frame 202.

[0017] It is important to note that the clip 100 is of the size anddimension to fit within the recessed portion 210 of the frame 202. Theclip 100 also works equally as well with a frame 202 not having rims 208a-b. It is also important to note that the clip 100 may be used inconjunction with other materials for similar applications. For example,the strand 206 may be a cord, rope, string, yarn, rubber string, or anyother long, slender, and flexible strip of material. In addition, thewidth of the slot 102 is determined according to the width and materialof the strand 206. As discussed above, in the preferred embodiment, theslot 102 width is {fraction (1/32)} of an inch for a strand 206 ofelastic tubing having an outer diameter of {fraction (5/16)} of an inch,such that the slot 102 width is ten percent (10%) of the strand 206width. This ratio is for convenience purpose only and when the strand206 is elastic tubing. It would be readily apparent to one of ordinaryskill in the relevant art to determine the needed slot 102 width for anygiven thickness and material of a strand 206.

[0018] The clip 100 may also be used to hold the strand 206 in place inrelation to a surface other than frame 202, such as a different type offrame. Such other surfaces could include any surface containing a holethrough which a strand 206 is threaded and affixed. In fact, a strand206 may be affixed to any surface by drilling a hole in such surface,threading the strand 206 through such hole, and sliding the end 212 ofthe strand 206 through the slot 102 of the clip 100, as previouslydescribed. The use of the clip 100 in such a manner provides a simpleand economical method of attaching a strand 206 to any surface.

[0019] Conclusion

[0020] While various embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed above, it should be understood that they have been presentedby way of example only, and not limitation. It will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may bemade therein without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined. Thus, the breadth and scope of the presentinvention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplaryembodiments.

What I claim is:
 1. A clip for securing a strand, having a width, to asurface, comprising: a block having a length, width, depth, a first end,and a second end, and a slot cut through said block lengthwise from saidfirst end to a point close to said second end, said slot having alength, a width, an open end at said first end of said block, and aclosed end closer to said second end of said block, wherein said widthof said slot is smaller than the width of the strand and is adapted tosecure the strand passing through said slot.
 2. The clip of claim 1,wherein said block has a shape selected from the group consisting of:square, rectangular, triangular, any polygonal shape, circular, oval,and any curved shape.
 3. The clip of claim 1, wherein said block is madeentirely or in part of a material selected from the group consisting ofaluminum, steel, plastic, rubber, wood, and a composite material.
 4. Theclip of claim 1, wherein said open end and said closed end have roundededges.
 5. The clip of claim 2, wherein said block is generallyrectangular in shape and said length of said block is about one half ofan inch, said width of said block is about three eighths of an inch,said depth of said block is about one fourth of an inch, said slot has alength of about three eighths of an inch, and said slot has a width ofabout one thirty-seconds of an inch.
 6. A method for securing a strandto a surface, the method comprising the steps of: (a) threading a firstend of a strand through a hole in the surface, said strand having alength and a width, (b) pulling said first end of said strand taut; (c)sliding said first end of said strand through a slot of a clip, saidclip being a block having a length, width, depth, a first end, a secondend, and a slot cut through said block lengthwise from said first end toa point close to said second end, said slot having a length, a width, anopen end at said first end of said block, and a closed end closer tosaid second end of said block, wherein said width of said slot issmaller than said width of said strand and is adapted to secure saidstrand passing through said slot; and (d) releasing said first end ofsaid strand.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein said strand is a lengthof elastic tubing and wherein said surface is a frame of a fieldingpractice bat.
 8. The method of claim 6, wherein said block has a shapeselected from the group consisting of: square, rectangular, triangular,any polygonal shape, circular, oval, and any curved shape.
 9. The methodof claim 6, wherein said block is made entirely or in part of a materialselected from the group consisting of aluminum, steel, plastic, rubber,wood, and a composite material.
 10. The method of claim 6, wherein saidstrand is selected from the group consisting of: elastic tubing, cord,rope, string, yarn, rubber string, and any other long, slender, andflexible strip of material.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein saidblock is generally rectangular in shape and said length of said block isabout one half of an inch, said width of said block is about threeeighths of an inch, said depth of said block is about one fourth of aninch, said slot has a length of about three eighths of an inch, and saidslot has a width of about one thirty-seconds of an inch.
 12. The methodof claim 6, further comprising the step of: (e) trimming off an excessportion of said strand that extends beyond said clip, after said step(c).
 13. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of: (e)sliding said clip along said strand until said clip contacts saidsurface, after said step (c).
 14. The method of claim 6, wherein saidsurface has a channel formed by two or more ridges, and said hole insaid surface is positioned in said channel, and said clip has a shapeand size proportioned to fit within said channel.
 15. The method ofclaim 6, further comprising the steps of: (e) pulling said first end ofsaid strand taut; (f) sliding said clip off of said strand; and (g)releasing said first end of said strand.